[Part 2] Japan Mino City, Gifu Near Nagoya | Mino Washi Traditional Craft Experience in the Udatsu Historic Townscape Sightseeing | Summer 2026 Events Fireworks, Bon Odori, Uchimizu | 2026.02.27
2026.03.09Thank you for coming back to read Part 2 as well.
Alright—let’s get started!
Ishikawa Mino Washi Paper Goods Workshop
Workshop Newsletter No. 283 — Part 2
Highly Rated Mino Washi Experience: Recommended for Gifu / Mino City Sightseeing — Group Tour Reception Guide for Japan Travel Agencies
Read Part 1 here♪
https://www.ishikawa-shigyo.com/news/detail_2279.html
For reservations of 10 guests or more, we can accommodate even outside regular business hours.Please consult us!
For details, please contact us♪
https://www.ishikawa-shigyo.com/contact/shop.html
Now accepting group reservations♪
For group bookings of 10 guests or more,
all participants who join the experience
receive 10% off store items.
We’ve neatly summarized our workshop menu, pricing, and group capacity!
[For Travel Agencies] “Group Tour Information” PDF is here ↓↓
https://www.ishikawa-shigyo.com/lsc/lsc-upfile/catalog/03/43/343_1_file.pdf
Google Reviews: 1,000+ ★4.9!
Laugh, create, and finish—check the workshop in a video!
“Ishikawa Workshop Video” is here! → https://ourl.jp/bckKb
◆ This issue’s topics ◆
[Part 1]
• This week’s workshop news: New Golden Week (GW) items coming soon!
• Featured items: Our Boys’ Day collection is fully stocked! Disney items are almost sold out.
• 11 reasons it’s easy to include in group tours: Group Tour Integration Guide - why travel agencies choose us
• Recommended for group travel: Ishikawa Mino Washi Paper Goods Workshop — menus, pricing, and time required summary
• Customer gallery: Same kit, totally different results! Introducing real guest creations♪
• Mayu “Mino” Diary: My daughter, born on Hinamatsuri
[Part 2]
• Our hometown Mino City: Summer events & town walk | Fireworks, Bon dance, and “uchimizu” (water-splash cooling) season
• Group experience flow: Complete guide from arrival to crafting to shopping
• Access guide: 5 minutes from Mino IC — why it’s easy to build into tour routes
• Ishikawa Paper Goods Ltd. OEM for businesses: Turn your character into washi
• World & Japan “conquest” project: 45 countries and counting—are you next?
• Accessibility support: Enjoy together with guests with disabilities
We’re boosting volume with a two-part format—more content than ever!
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Our Hometown Mino City: Summer Events & Town Walk | Fireworks, Bon Dance, and “Uchimizu” Season
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Summer in Mino City is full of charming local events unique to the region.
Around the first week of August, there is a fireworks festival, night festivals and Bon dance events hosted by local districts, and “uchimizu” (cooling water-splash) events organized by the tourism association.
These seasonal happenings let you truly feel the Japanese summer atmosphere—great additions to Japan travel itineraries and cultural tours.
During the “Uchimizu Daisakusen,” buckets may be placed along storefronts so visitors can freely join in,
making it a fun, easy activity to enjoy during a town walk.
Many travelers enjoy combining historic streets strolling and a washi craft experience around event dates,
and we often hear: “It’s wonderful to take home a real, handmade memory of the trip.”
Washi crafting can be enjoyed even in a short time, and takes place comfortably indoors—perfect on hot summer days.
That flexibility makes it easy for travel agencies and tour planners to include in group tour schedules.
Why not pair Mino’s summer events with a touch of Mino Washi culture?
[Recommendation] After sweating during a town walk, we recommend cooling down indoors with a “Mino Washi craft experience,” turning your Japan travel memories into a handmade souvenir to take home.
▼ Mino Tourism Association website
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• Group Experience Guide | First time is totally fine—here’s how the day flows♪
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Thankfully, we’re welcoming more and more group visits every week!
“We’re arriving by tour bus—will we get lost?” “Can first-timers enjoy the workshop smoothly?”
To remove those worries, here’s an easy-to-understand guide to the day’s flow!
1) Arrive at the municipal parking lot (tour buses welcome)
We do not have a private parking lot, so we ask guests to use the municipal parking lot.
For groups, if you call us 15 minutes before arrival, our staff can welcome you smoothly♪
(For guests who feel uneasy walking, shuttle assistance may be possible depending on the situation—please consult us.)
2) A short guided “town walk” through the Udatsu historic streets
Even the walk from the parking lot to the shop becomes a travel memory.
We’ll highlight key points of the Edo-period streetscape and “udatsu” architecture in a concise, friendly way.
3) Arrive at the shop → we guide you to your seats
Your Mino Washi craft experience starts inside an Edo-period building built in 1760!
First, please take a seat and relax.
4) Fun explanation with picture-story style guidance♪ (first-timers welcome)
We explain Ishikawa Paper Goods Ltd., Mino Washi, highlights inside the shop, and tips for making your piece in an easy, enjoyable way.
You’ll also have written instructions, so you won’t get lost—our staff will support you throughout!
5) Start crafting (approx. 30–45 minutes)
Because you can complete it just by gluing and placing pieces, it’s fun for a wide range of ages—from around 4 years old to adults.
You can follow the kit’s sample diagram or customize it into your own original design!
You’re also welcome to freely use our in-store [Mino Washi Yuzen paper (original designs by Ishikawa Paper Goods Ltd.)] to create a one-of-a-kind piece.
6) Finished! Take it home right away
There’s no long waiting time for drying.
Your finished work can be taken home immediately as a handmade Japan travel souvenir.
7) After the experience, enjoy shopping in the store♪
Our shop is filled with Japanese goods—please enjoy souvenir shopping too.
As a group benefit, you can also get [10% OFF when your total in-store purchase is JPY 1,000 or more].
Along with your craft memory, please take time to choose souvenirs at your own pace.
*If any items are excluded, our staff will inform you on the day.
Create together, show each other, and laugh together—we’re here to help you make that kind of joyful travel memory.
Our staff truly looks forward to welcoming your group!
▼ Group booking consultation (available even outside business days)
https://www.ishikawa-shigyo.com/contact/shop.html
▼ Workshop website
https://www.ishikawa-shigyo.com/shop.html
▼ Group reservation guide (50 guests × 6 sessions = 300 guests/day)
https://www.ishikawa-shigyo.com/lsc/lsc-upfile/catalog/03/43/343_1_file.pdf
For reservations of 10 guests or more, we can accommodate even outside regular business hours.Please consult us!
For details, please contact us♪
https://www.ishikawa-shigyo.com/contact/shop.html
Now accepting group reservations♪
For group bookings of 10 guests or more,
all participants who join the experience
receive 10% off store items.
We’ve neatly summarized our workshop menu, pricing, and group capacity!
[For Travel Agencies] “Group Tour Information” PDF is here ↓↓
https://www.ishikawa-shigyo.com/lsc/lsc-upfile/catalog/03/43/343_1_file.pdf
Google Reviews: 1,000+ ★4.9!
Laugh, create, and finish—check the workshop in a video!
“Ishikawa Workshop Video” is here! → https://ourl.jp/bckKb
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• Access Guide | Only 5 minutes from Mino IC—convenient location for including in group tour routes!
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To travel agencies and group tour planners:
“We want an easy stop for an experience along an itinerary with long transfers.”
In that case, we recommend Ishikawa Mino Washi Paper Goods Workshop—an ideal cultural stop for Japan travel itineraries in Gifu.
【Why it fits into itineraries so well】
• Close to the expressway interchange (Mino IC → about 5 minutes), so bus travel burden stays low
• Located in the historic town center, making it easy to combine strolling and shopping before/after the experience
• Works as a “just-right stop” on popular circuit routes (between Nagoya ↔ Takayama / Shirakawa-go)
As a stop that’s easy to drop into between transfers—without forcing the schedule—and still delivers strong satisfaction, we hope you’ll consider us.
We can also consult on time allocation to match your tour itinerary.
Our staff is preparing to welcome your group comfortably and smoothly.
▼ Mino City access information
We are about a 5-minute drive from the Tokai-Hokuriku Expressway “Mino IC.”
It’s easy to include on popular circuit routes toward Takayama and Shirakawa-go from Nagoya, allowing you to combine a break + hands-on experience + historic town walk in one stop.
Estimated driving times by departure point (using expressways):
From Nagoya: Nagoya Ring Route IC (Nagoya Expressway) → Ichinomiya JCT → Tokai-Hokuriku Expressway → Mino IC — approx. 67 km / about 1 hour
From Takayama: Takayama Nishi IC (Chubu-Jukan Expressway) → Hida-Kiyomi IC → Tokai-Hokuriku Expressway → Mino IC — approx. 100 km / about 1 hour 15 minutes
From Shirakawa-go: Shirakawa-go IC (Tokai-Hokuriku Expressway) → Mino IC — approx. 110 km / about 1 hour 15 minutes
From Gujo-Hachiman: Gujo-Hachiman IC (Tokai-Hokuriku Expressway) → Mino IC — approx. 28 km / about 17 minutes
From Chubu Centrair International Airport: Centrair Higashi IC (Chita-Odan Road) → Nagoya Expressway / Meini-Kan → Ichinomiya JCT → Tokai-Hokuriku Expressway → Mino IC — approx. 95 km / about 1 hour 20 minutes
From Toki Premium Outlets: Toki IC (Chuo Expressway) → Toki JCT → Tokai-Kanjo Expressway → Minoseki JCT → Tokai-Hokuriku Expressway → Mino IC — approx. 39 km / around 30 minutes
Parking information (group buses welcome)
*We do not have a private parking lot. Please use the municipal parking lot.
For groups, if you call us 15 minutes before arrival, our staff can welcome you smoothly.
(For guests who feel uneasy walking, shuttle assistance may be possible depending on the situation—please consult us.)
▼ Mino City parking map
Front: https://minokanko.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/30ddbcbb17e8592a50b2d0c9fcab3229.pdf
Back: https://minokanko.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/90c3049d7dadf0b1aa05f315a3aacf68.pdf
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• Ishikawa Paper Goods Ltd. OEM | Turn your character into washi—cute Washi Korokoro production examples♪
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Ishikawa Paper Goods Ltd. was founded in 1902.
While cherishing the tradition of Mino Washi, we also develop washi crafts and original products.
One of our most popular items is the lucky charm “Washi Korokoro,” a cute roly-poly doll that pops back up—so charming!
In fact, Washi Korokoro isn’t just a popular workshop experience—many original versions have also been created through OEM requests from companies and organizations.
Here are some adorable Washi Korokoro dolls born from OEM projects♪
◆ [OEM Example 1] Fun to display character “personality” side by side: “Hanawa-kun & Noguchi-san Washi Korokoro”
This OEM example productized strong, distinctive characters as Washi Korokoro while respecting the original story world.
Because they’re easy to display together, they naturally create “collectibility,” and they work perfectly for multi-variant merchandising and display building. This is an OEM model that turns fans’ “I want to collect them” into a real product.
https://www.ishikawa-shigyo.com/news/detail_1801_0_0.html
◆ [OEM Example 2] A local mascot becomes Washi Korokoro♪ Minobu Town “Mino-Wan”
Minobu Town’s official mascot “Mino-Wan” was created as a Mino Washi roly-poly doll, “Washi Korokoro.”
It’s a lucky charm with a cute rounded form and the gentle texture unique to washi.
It’s used for regional PR and event commemorations, and we often hear delighted reactions like, “I can’t believe it turns into this!”
We support one-of-a-kind original production while carefully preserving the charm of each character.
https://www.ishikawa-shigyo.com/news/detail_1772.html
◆ [OEM Example 3] A world-famous character becomes a washi doll!
Official Disney License: “Washi Korokoro Mickey”
This OEM example productized Mickey as a Mino Washi roly-poly doll under official Disney supervision. While preserving the character’s appeal, we finished it with the warm texture of washi and a lucky-charm form. It’s a representative example of licensed OEM that can be developed as fan merchandise in Japan and overseas, and as gifts or tourist souvenirs that convey Japanese culture.
https://www.ishikawa-shigyo.com/news/detail_1902.html
▼ For inquiries about original product (OEM) production, please contact us here♪ ▼
https://www.ishikawa-shigyo.com/contact/index.html
“Can you make our character too?” “We want this kind of vibe!”
That’s how Washi Korokoro has been born—one by one.
Why not transform your company’s character into
a one-of-a-kind, adorable “koron” Washi Korokoro?
We look forward to hearing from you.
▼ We create original products (OEM)! Using our experience since 1902, we craft special originals just for your company. ▼
Japan’s No.1 in registered Mino Washi brand certifications!
Doll production, hariko, Japanese goods, Japanese stationery, DIY kits, name printing—leave original production to us! We propose solutions using many materials such as washi, chirimen, wood, and ceramics.
We propose solutions using many materials such as washi, chirimen, wood, and ceramics.
▼ Contact Ishikawa Paper Goods Ltd. (Head Office) here♪
https://www.ishikawa-shigyo.com/contact/index.html
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• World & Japan “Conquest” Project | Are you next? Come visit Ishikawa Paper Goods Ltd. to “do washi”♪
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At Ishikawa Mino Washi Paper Goods Workshop,
we have placed a “World Map” and a “Japan Map” inside the shop, and we run an interactive activity where visitors place a sticker on their hometown location!
As the stickers increase,
you can see at a glance how far the Mino Washi experience has spread—and both staff and guests get excited.
Which country next? Which prefecture next? Every time we look at the map, the fun keeps growing!
◆ World Conquest Project (currently: 44 countries) ◆
So far, guests from 44 countries (individuals and groups) have visited us!
Thinking that people from all over the world are touching Mino Washi here in Mino… it truly makes us happy!
[North & South America: 5 countries]
United States, Brazil, Canada, Venezuela, Honduras
[Asia: 22 countries]
Philippines, South Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Macau, Vietnam, Indonesia, Myanmar, China, Timor-Leste, Nepal, India, Israel, Cambodia, Laos, Uzbekistan, Mongolia, Thailand, Sri Lanka, Singapore, Pakistan, Malaysia
[Europe: 14 countries]
United Kingdom, France, Germany, Poland, Scotland, Spain, Portugal, Switzerland, Sweden, Austria, Italy, Russia, Netherlands, Czech Republic
[Oceania: 2 countries]
Australia, New Zealand
[Africa: 1 country]
South Africa
Total: 44 countries!
For first-time visiting countries, we sometimes ask guests to place a small flag as a commemorative moment^^
It’s fun to look for your country’s flag and think, “Is mine already here?”
◆ Japan Conquest Project ◆
The Japan map is also slowly filling up with more stickers!
Each time we add a new hometown, we feel our connection with visitors expanding more and more.
When you join the experience, please place a sticker on your hometown too!
And then…
your one sticker becomes the first step of a brand-new story.
No matter where you come from, even if it’s your first time, you’ll be fine.
Create together, laugh together, and take home your travel memories!
Our staff is sincerely looking forward to welcoming you.
▼ Workshop website is here♪
https://www.ishikawa-shigyo.com/shop.html
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• For everyone to enjoy with peace of mind | Support services for guests with disabilities
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We provide the following support services for group visits such as special needs schools
and disability support facilities♪
For groups only: “Special needs schools” / “Groups with disability ID holders”
• One free spin of the JPY 300 capsule toy (gacha)
• Shopping training: 40% OFF product purchases (hands-on crafting is not included)
Our crafting menu has no difficult steps, and anyone can easily create a wonderful piece. (Washi Korokoro, uchiwa fan, bookmark, washi plate, pen holder) can be enjoyed by all.
Simply paste the pre-cut paper pieces along the template shape…
and you can create your own original item!
You can craft in detail to match your own sense, or finish it exactly like the sample—either is great.
Choose paper, apply glue, and paste!
Why not repeat these simple steps and create a beautiful piece?
For special needs schools, after-school day services,
and coordinators planning facility trips—please feel free to use our workshop!
▼ Contact the workshop here♪
https://www.ishikawa-shigyo.com/contact/shop.html
Thank you very much for reading to the end.
We’d be happy if this article made you think, “I want to try it!”
At Ishikawa Mino Washi Paper Goods Workshop, please enjoy creating your own one-of-a-kind piece.
We sincerely look forward to welcoming you.